Manipur Police appeal for calm after killings and arson

IMPHAL – The Manipur Police on Friday appealed to the public to stay calm, exercise restraint and not take the law into their own hands, saying recent cases of arson and the killing of civilians in the state are under “thorough investigation”.

In a press release dated 6 November 2026 and issued by Police Headquarters, Manipur, in Imphal, police said efforts were on to identify the accused, and that witnesses were being located and questioned.

“Necessary action is also being taken up with National Investigation Agency,” the release said. It did not say which cases could be handed over to the central agency.

Joint operations in affected areas

According to the release, joint teams of the Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Assam Rifles and the Army are conducting cordon-and-search operations (CASOs) and intelligence-based operations in the affected areas.

The operations aim “to take action as per law to punish the perpetrators of such heinous crimes,” the release said.

“Police and all Security Forces are taking the matter with utmost concern. Security measures have been put in place, and the situation is being closely monitored,” it added.

Warning against rumours

Police asked people not to spread unverified claims online. “People are also requested not to believe or circulate unverified information, rumours or provocative content on social media, as these may aggravate the situation,” the release said.

Police Headquarters also urged all sections of society to cooperate with the police and security forces “in maintaining peace and preventing further violence.”

The release did not name any officer, and it did not identify the incidents, places or victims it referred to.

Recent incidents

The appeal comes days after a series of deadly incidents in Manipur’s hill districts.

On 1 November, joint search teams of the Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, Rapid Action Force and Assam Rifles recovered the bodies of two young men from Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, news agency IANS reported. The two, Tinginlun Chongloi, 21, and Paoginlal Hangshing, 20, had gone missing on 28 October and were allegedly abducted by unidentified miscreants, the agency said. Also Read At least three killed in Noney gunfight between armed groups

Police said at the time that “extensive search and combing operations will continue in the area,” Anadolu Agency reported. Protesters later clashed with security forces in Kangpokpi, and security personnel used tear gas and baton charges to disperse them, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki-Zo body in Sadar Hills, has called a shutdown in Kangpokpi district since 1 November to demand action over the killings. The shutdown was extended until 5 pm on Friday after talks with the state government ended without agreement, India Today NE reported. The Taphou Kuki Village Authority has separately asked for the case to be handed to the NIA, the outlet reported.

In neighbouring Noney district, three men from Churachandpur district were killed on 31 October in what police described as a gunfight between rival armed groups at Kekru Naga village, PTI reported. More than 500 security personnel have since begun search operations in Noney, according to India Today NE. Also Read NSCN-K (Niki) rejects ZUF(J) ‘joint operation’ charge

More than 50 people have been killed and dozens of houses set on fire in clashes between Naga and Kuki-Zo communities since February this year, IANS reported. The violence has been concentrated in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Noney districts and parts of Senapati district.

Nagaland.News could not independently confirm which incidents the police release refers to.